Shloka 58
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
ऋणशेषमग्निशेषं शत्रुशेषं तथैव च । पुन: पुन: प्रवर्धन्ते तस्माच्छेषं न धारयेत्,“ऋण, अग्नि और शत्रुमेंसे कुछ बाकी रह जाय तो वह बारंबार बढ़ता रहता है; इसलिये इनमेंसे किसीको शेष नहीं छोड़ना चाहिये
ṛṇaśeṣam agniśeṣaṃ śatruśeṣaṃ tathaiva ca | punaḥ punaḥ pravardhante tasmāc cheṣaṃ na dhārayet ||
قال بهيشما: إن تُرك من الدَّين بقية، أو من النار جمرٌ، أو من العدو أثرٌ، عاد ذلك ينمو مرة بعد مرة. لذلك لا تُبقِ «بقايا» من هذه الثلاثة—لا تتركها غير محسومة.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unresolved dangers and obligations tend to return and intensify: an unpaid debt accumulates, a half-extinguished fire flares up, and a partially defeated enemy regroups. Hence, one should complete what must be completed—settle debts, fully put out fires, and do not leave hostile threats in a state where they can revive.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and statecraft. This verse is a concise maxim within that counsel, emphasizing prudent, preventative action in governance and personal conduct.